A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed Over the Holidays
The winter break offer a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than scanning the headlines: unwrapping gifts, indulging in holiday treats, and using meditation skills to not snapping at loved ones. It is wished you were able to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy developments came out over the break, and if you didn't see a few, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Will Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising piece of news, the notorious controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to deter the series' continuation. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a good sign. But, the key visual for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series proved it hadn't lost the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been running for a while, and season 6 was yet another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an prominent woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the airing of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has yet to be revealed.